Former Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael was admitted to the ICU Thursday with a urinary tract infection, but is “recovering” with antibiotics. According to Jarrett Paytonthe son of legendary Chicago running back Walter Payton, and the McMichael family.
McMichael, 66, will also undergo a thoracentesis to have fluid removed from his lungs.
Mr Peyton wrote to X that Mr McMichael is expected to be discharged from hospital within the next few days.
This marks the latest development over the past week, which began with McMichael’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024.
He was one of three former Bears stars selected for the latest induction ceremony, along with Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.
McMichael was initially admitted to Silver Cross Hospital with a fever and suspected pneumonia. According to ABC7 ChicagoHowever, his family later released another statement revealing that he was battling a urinary tract infection.
McMichael spent 13 years with the Bears, recording 92.5 sacks from 1981 to 1993 and was part of the legendary 1985 defense that helped Chicago win the only Super Bowl in franchise history.
He also set a Bears record with 191 consecutive games played, according to the team.
However, since 2021, he has been battling ALS. He received the diagnosis in January, when he was 63 years old. According to the Bears website — and was admitted to Silver Cross Hospital’s intensive care unit in August with sepsis and pneumonia.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, McMichael cannot move or speak on his own, but when the members of the Class of 2024 were announced on Friday, people gathered around him in his home and the moment When it was caught on camera, it was celebrated with cheers and applause.
Former Bears teammate and current Hall of Famer Richard Dent initially told McMichael and his wife, Misty, the news on FaceTime.
“In the NFL world, we knew he should have been inducted into the Hall of Fame a long time ago,” says his wife, Misty McMichael. Speaking at the NFL Honors Ceremony in Los Angeles after his participation in the Class of 2024 was announced. “But I wanted the whole world to know.
“And now, finally, the whole world knows. Forever and ever.”
